FC United Chase New Landmark

 Source: Key 103 Manchester

 FC United will try to crash through another barrier later this month by beating Conference outfit Barrow to reach the FA Cup first round.

The club that was formed out of opposition to Malcolm Glazer's takeover of Manchester United in 2005 are currently trying to claw their way out of the Evo-Stik League after a rapid rise through the lower reaches of the non-league pyramid.

With minds focussed on trying to gain permission to build a ground of their own close to 'big' United's spiritual home at Newton Heath, their best chance of making progress in the immediate future might be through cup competitions.

And, for a club with their history, it is hard to quantify just how much publicity a place in the main draw would bring.

``It would be another milestone,'' said FC United manager Karl Marginson.

``Pretty much since our birth we have been breaking records and setting new standards in terms of promotions and crowds. Reaching the first round proper of the FA Cup would be another.

``When we lost to Northwich last season, they went on to be chosen for two live TV games and used the money to pay off debt.

``We don't have debt but the money would come in very handy to help towards a new stadium.''

Such is the way football has gone over the past few years, other recently formed clubs are trying to make their way in the competition as well.

AFC Wimbledon's exploits have been well-known for some time and given their desperation for a place in the Football League next season, they may not be too concerned about the outcome of a visit to Basingstoke Town.

For FC Halifax Town though, the club that rose out of the ashes of their namesake's bankruptcy in 2008, a home tie with Mansfield Town offers a glimpse of their Football League past, and a chance for a bigger gate than the impressive 1,835 that saw them beat Harrogate Town on Saturday.

Darlington could end up facing Lincoln Moorlands Railway on October 23, whilst the lowest ranked side left in this season's competition, Radcliffe Olympic of the East Midlands Counties League, will go to Sheffield or Frickley Athletic if they win Wednesday night's replay at Tipton Town.

Andrea Roveri

FA Cup Third Qualifying Round / STL Northern League

 Source: The Journal
 Oct 11 2010 by Malcolm Pratt

 THE four STL Northern League clubs all fell by the wayside in the Third Round of the FA Cup.

Shildon were closest to a result when they went down by a single goal to Blue Square Bet North side Workington.

Sam Garvie fired the Durham side in front but by the 14th minute the Reds were ahead courtesy of Gareth Arnison and Anthony Wright.

Workington captain David Hewson was red-carded after 25 minutes but Shildon were unable to make the numerical advantage count.

After conceding two goals in four minutes to Droylsden’s Keiron Kilheeney and David McNiven, Ashington reduced the arrears through Steven Young – however, the goalscorer then failed to convert a penalty.

In the late stages, the Colliers pressed in search of an equaliser and left the way open for Jody Banim and Lewis Killeen to end their hopes.

Whitley Bay played an hour with 10 men after Chris Fawcett was sent off for bringing down a Guiseley player.

James Walshaw scored the resultant penalty and despite a battling performance, the Seahorses went out as Joe O’Neil and Walshaw wrapped up a comfortable victory for the hosts.

A crowd of 1576 saw Norton and Stockton Ancients go down 5-2 at home to FC United of Manchester.

Dale Mulligan and Shaun Clarke cancelled out Mike Norton’s early goal for the visitors who finished strongly, scoring four times in the last 25 minutes through Glynn Hurst, Ben Deegan and Norton, who completed his hat-trick.

Consett remain out in front in the STL Northern League Division One but they left it late before edging Penrith by the odd goal. Dean Douglas was an early scorer for the Cumbrians and after Jonjo Dickman levelled, he claimed the winner with just a minute left on the clock.

Bedlington Terriers are second and the leading scorers after they found the net four times in the home fixture with Tow Law Town.

Alex Benjamin bagged a brace with Keith Graydon and Richard Hodgson taking Terriers’ total to 38. The Lawyers’ Steven Tobin was red-carded on 52 minutes.

Spennymoor Town remain third and their man of the match at Billingham Town was Michael Rae who scored the first four goals. Alan Cosavella was unfortunate to turn the ball into his own net for Moors’ fifth.

Newcastle Benfield moved into fourth position when a brace from Brian Dodsworth edged them to victory at home to Dunston UTS, who led through Steven Preen. Benfield played for 64 minutes with 10 men following the dismissal of Kevin Leighton.

Esh Winning finally tasted success at the 14th attempt when they hit Ryton with a seven-goal defeat.

Stuart Thompson (3), Craig Marron (pen), Mark Nixon, Ian Ward and Brian Hogg all beat Ryton’s debutant goalkeeper Peter Adnitt.

A last-minute penalty by Michael Pattison, his first goal since his transfer from Seaham Red Star, earned North Shields a valuable point in the Division Two game with Birtley Town.

James Luccock scored his fifth goal in two games giving the Robins the lead and after Martin Raper levelled, Chris Tate fired Birtley in front before Pattison remained cool under pressure to deliver the equaliser from the spot.


Read More http://www.journallive.co.uk/newcastle-sports/football-news/2010/10/11/fa-cup-third-qualifying-round-stl-northern-league-61634-27444807/#ixzz12KMBaVY8

Crowd praised at Norton FA Cup game

 Source: Evening Gazette 
 by Krysta Eaves, Evening Gazette

 NORTON chairman Mick Mulligan has hailed visiting supporters after a record breaking day at Station Road.

Norton drew its biggest-ever crowd of 1,526 fans to the their cosy Station Road home as they played FC United of Manchester in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup - their best showing ever.

A noisy - and thirsty - crowd of almost 1,000 travelling fans arrived from Manchester for the game prompting a headache for a ground that usually only hosts a sedate 150 for Northern League games.

The game - which Norton lost 5-2 - was given the full police matchday operation usually associated with Boro, including mounted police and helicopter buzzing overhead.

But Mulligan praised the visitors and insisted: “We’d have them back again any time.

“They were fantastic. We had heard they could be a bit of a handful but they were great.

“They were very noisy and there was a lively pitch invasion at the end but it was all good natured fun.

“They pretty much drank the club house dry and all the pies went too.

“But they weren’t a bit of bother. The atmosphere was fantastic and it was a cracking match and the away supporters and officials couldn’t praise us enough for the warmth of the welcome and the way our team played.”

Norton general manager, Steve Lawson, who had co-ordinated the arrangements said: “The number of fans was around 10-fold to what we normally get but it went off without a problem and it was a good old-fashioned cup tie.

“It was a great day for non-league football. Fans came, had a sing and a chant and joined in the euphoria.”

The club had brought in extra toilets, burger vans and laid on a sweet stall for younger fans.

The club also arranged for a club members and regular supporters to act as volunteer stewards and players from the junior teams were ball-boys.

Mr Lawson said: “It was a bit of a headache having to organise things, but it was absolutely worth it to see the end product.

“We had compliments from fans saying they had enjoyed themselves.

“We’re hoping as a club we proved we can put on a show on and off the field, and that people will come back again.”

FC United lead FA Cup charge

 Source: Manchester Evening News

 Tony Glennon

 Manchester will have at least four clubs in the FA Cup’s final qualifying round after a triumphant weekend for local non-League sides in the world’s best-known knockout competition.

FC United, Droylsden and Stalybridge Celtic will all join Altrincham, who as a Blue Square Bet Premier club are spared the Cup’s earlier stages, in battling for the chance to meet an npower League One or Two outfit in the first-round proper.

Proud FC manager Karl Marginson saluted his resilient Rebels after they survived a scare to romp through 5-2 at Norton and Stockton Ancients, taking the Gigg Lane side to within 90 minutes of a possible dream tie with the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Southampton, Oldham or Rochdale.

Mike Norton’s hat-trick set up United’s victory, but they trailed 2-1 after he’d given them an early lead and then had to dig deep to see off their North East hosts with Glynn Hurst and substitute Ben Deegan adding to two further goals from the former Curzon Ashton sharpshooter.

Marginson, whose side lost to Northwich in the fourth qualifying round 12 months ago, said: “We were worried at one point, but we know we’ve got goals in us and credit to the boys for coming through in the end.

“We’re just delighted to be in the next round. All we want is a home draw and, hopefully, we can go at least one better than last year.”

Droylsden disposed of Ashington 4-1 but were similarly pushed hard by the Geordies, who missed a penalty when only 2-1 down.

Ciaran Kilheeney and Steve Beck gave the Bloods a seemingly comfortable two-goal cushion, but they then carelessly allowed the home side to pull one back and were lucky not to
concede an equaliser when goalscorer Stephen Young fired wide from the spot after sub Alex Brown was adjuged to have handled.

Jody Banim, fresh back at the Butcher’s Arms after a second spell with neighbouring Stalybridge, finally killed off Ashington with a smartly-taken third goal four minutes from time before Liam Brownhill put the gloss on the result.

Droylsden chief Dave Pace said: “Some of our football in the first-half was outstanding, but we then conceded a sloppy goal and could easily have paid a heavy price for it.

“We simply cannot afford to be so careless if we’re to go any further in the competition.”

Stalybridge, whose boss, Jim Harvey, is being linked with the managerial vacancy at League Two Hereford, also picked up a hefty £7,500 winners’ cheque but, like FC United, also had to come from behind to triumph 3-1 at Warrington.

Rob Hardwick stunned the Celts by heading Town in front on 25 minutes, but Bridge rallied before equalising on the stroke of half-time through Craig Hobson.

Phil Marsh then put Bridge ahead early in the second-half and duly wrapped up their victory with his second and the visitors’ third goal late on.

Mossley, who have already banked £9,000 in Cup prize money, appeared certain to add to it when Ben Richardson gave them a well-deserved interval lead at Lincoln.

But the Railwaymen hit back to equalise and, in the end, it was the visiting Lilywhites who were happiest to settle for a draw and the chance to finish the job on home turf.

Big draw for Barrow AFC in FA Cup

  Source: North West Evening Mail

 Last updated at 14:31, Monday, 11 October 2010

BARROW AFC have been handed a big away tie in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup at FC United of Manchester.

United, formed by disaffected supporters of Premier League Manchester United, play in the Evostick Premier Division and attract thousands of supporters to their matches at Bury’s Gigg Lane.

They beat Norton and Stockon 5-2 in the third qualifying round and will host Barrow on Sunday, October 24, as Bury are at home to Southend in League Two onSaturday, october 23..

See tomorrow’s Evening Mail for full report and reaction.

Frantic day in FA Cup

 Source: The FA

 By Declan Taylor - Saturday, 09 October, 2010

28 teams through today, whilst 11 ties head to replay.

The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
Third Round Qualifying
Saturday 9 October 2010
Winning clubs receive £7500 from The FA's prize fund

On another frantic day in The FA Cup, 28 teams moved within one win of the First Round proper.

For some sides, securing their place in Monday’s draw for the Fourth Round Qualifiers was straightforward, while others had to scrape for the victory and 11 of the ties will require replays.

Conference North outfit Nuneaton Town made light work of lower-league Coleshill Town by dispatching of them 6-0. While Droylsden, who sit one place below Nuneaton, thrashed Ashington 4-1.

FC United of Manchester also kept their FA Cup hopes alive after beating Norton & Stockton Ancients 5-2 away from home. Meanwhile Basingtoke enjoyed a fruitful road trip, by hitting Didcot Town for four.

The mouth-watering all-Conference South clash between Bromley and Chelmsford will require a replay. Bromley sit top of the table, just two points above third-place Chelmsford, and they looked every bit their equals during the 2-2 draw at the Melbourne Stadium.

While those title challengers locked horns, there was also a battle between Conference South strugglers when Thurrock visited Lewes’ Dripping Pan home.

But, although Thurrock sit two points and two places above rock-bottom Lewes in the table, it was the home side who progressed with a slender 2-1 victory.

And it was a similar story between the Conference North strugglers Redditch and their visitors Hinckley. The home side, currently languishing in the relegation zone four places below Hinckley, came out on top with a 1-0 win.

Norton and Stockon Ancients 2 FC United of Manchester 5

  Source: Sunday Sun

  Oct 10 2010  Sunday Sun

 TWO years ago Norton and Stockton Ancients were spending their 28th consecutive season in the STL Northern League Second Division.

The club, formed in 1959, at last celebrated promotion and today are in the top half of Division One.

Yesterday, they staged the biggest game in their 51-year history when FC United of Manchester and their big following descended on Teesside.

And although Norton failed to make it a match which would be etched into the memories of their supporters, chairman Michael Mulligan was ‘over the moon’ at the way the day went.

He said: “They (FC United of Manchester) are in the Premier Division of the Evo-Stik League and were the favourites.

“At one stage we were ahead and I don’t think the scoreline was a true reflection of the game.

“The lads were superb. Obviously everybody is disappointed but certainly not at the effort which the team gave for every single one of the 90 minutes.

“We’ve had a fantastic run to get this far and it’s been a great experience.

“Last season we reached the quarter-finals of the FA Carlsberg Vase and now we must turn our attentions to making progress in that competition.

“We’ve never had 1576 spectators in the ground and yes, a lot came from Manchester, but we also had a big following to prove that success can attract the fans.”

The Mancunians took the lead after just five minutes when Mike Norton struck into the left-hand corner of the net, giving goalkeeper James Provett no chance.

Ancients suffered a huge and worrying blow on 27 minutes.

Andrew Burton collapsed on the field and had to be stretchered off with possible concussion which held the tie up for 10 minutes.

The Teessiders were fighting for every ball and just before the interval their supporters were sent into raptures as Dale Mulligan grabbed an equaliser from close range.

Manchester goalkeeper Sam Ashton only managed to parry a Craig Gott free-kick and Mulligan was perfectly positioned for the rebound, which he gleefully converted.

It got even better for Norton eight minutes into the second period as they stormed into the lead.

Again Gott was involved and his corner was smashed into the net by Shaun Clarke.

Norton’s joy, though, was shortlived and Manchester took control to score four times in the last 25 minutes.

Glynn Hurst managed to sneak the ball over the line following a goalmouth scramble and the visitors went ahead when Norton headed over advancing goalkeeper Provett.

The home side pushed players forward in an effort to equalise but left the way open for Ben Deegon to just about seal their fate with a back-post header on 83 minutes.

With a minute remaining, Norton tapped in for his hat-trick to put the finishing touch on the victory.

And it was all over for another year, as it is for the other three STL Northern League sides, Ashington, Whitley Bay and Shildon who also crashed out of the famous old competition.

NORTON AND STOCKTON ANCIENTS: Provett, Burton, Bishop, Mulligan, Gaston, Gott, Huggins, S Clarke, J Clarke, Furness, Earl.

FC UNITED OF MANCHESTER: Ashton, Jacobs, Neville, Platt, Parker, McManus, Roca, Cotterill, Norton, Wright, Hurst.

Ref: Mr Clayton.

Att: 1576.

FC United sink Ossett

 Source: MEN

 October 07, 2010

FC United made a welcome return to winning ways with a comfortable 4-1 Evo-Stik premier division victory over Ossett Town at Stalybridge Celtic’s Bower Fold ground on Wednesday night.

Mike Norton slotted the Rebels into a 14th minute lead and then quickly turned provider to set up a second goal for Jerome Wright.

Carlos Roca made it 3-0 within 90 seconds of the restart, volleying in from cross.

And, though the visitors pulled one back when a Matthew Stirland shot took a wicked deflection on its way in, Roca struck again late on to round off a win which ends a run of six defeats in seven league games for Karl Marginson’s men.

Rebels face cup test

 Source: Bury Times
 7:20am Thursday 7th October 2010

FC United will hope for a return to winning ways when they visit Norton and Stockton Ancients in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup.

The Rebel Reds, who were in action against Ossett Town last night, have suffered two defeats in a week.

They were beaten 2-1 by Buxton, with Glynn Hurst grabbing the consolation, then Mickleover Sports inflicted a 2-0 defeat on Karl Marginson’s men.

Chester FC: Blues sign former FC United of Manchester hitman Kyle Wilson

 Source: Chester Chronicle

 By Paul Wheelock

 BLUES boss Neil Young tonight pulled off another major transfer coup by completing the capture of former FC United of Manchester goal-machine Kyle Wilson.

The 24-year-old striker goes straight into the squad for Saturday’s clash with Prescot Cables at the Exacta Stadium (3pm).

Wilson, who started his career at Crewe Alexandra, was one of the top-scorers in the 2008-09 Evo-Stik League Premier Division campaign, with his stunning return of 24 goals in 32 games earning him a move from FC United to the Football League with Macclesfield Town.

The move did not work out, however, and he was released by the Silkmen at the end of last season.

Young – still waiting on a decision from Southport defender Rob Marsh-Evans – wanted Wilson in the summer before he signed for Hyde United in the Blue Square North.

But having gone to watch Wilson on Monday night, Young has now got his man.